ARS | Publication request: MANAGING GRAZINGLANDS FOR SOIL ORGANIC C SEQUESTRATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN USA

Submitted to: USDA Symposium on Natural Resource Management to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 20, 2002
Publication Date: November 20, 2002
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J., Stuedemann, J.A. 2002. Managing grazinglands for soil organic c sequestration in the southeastern usa. USDA Symposium on Natural Resource Management to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Technical Abstract: Grazinglands in the southeastern USA are typically a mixture of introduced plant species that have high forage production potential and of naturalized plant species that have persistence with environmental stress. Abundant precipitation and warm temperature in the southeastern USA compared with western rangelands allows for greater utilization potential of southeastern grazinglands. The effects of tall fescue, nitrogen application, animal manures, and grazing on soil organic carbon storage potential will be discussed. Grazinglands in the southeastern USA managed with a moderate grazing pressure can (1) provide economic opportunities for landowners with low risk tolerance, (2) improve degraded land by building long-term soil fertility, (3) improve water utilization and quality within the landscape, and (4) help mitigate the greenhouse effect by storing carbon as soil organic matter.